An Industrial, Flower-Free Brooklyn Wedding

Emily and Josh

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Emily Abate and Josh Guttman first saw each other in the back seat of a New York City taxi cab. They were on their way to their first date, and Emily picked Josh up en route to a downtown oyster bar. A year and a half (and many shared rides) later, the two were engaged. And 13 months after that, on March 29, 2015, they tied the knot.

Living in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the bride (who works in fashion) and groom (a venture capitalist) didn't go far to wed. Emily and Josh chose Pioneer Works in the Red Hook neighborhood—a former factory renovated into an art space—for their spring wedding. They and their 225 guests celebrated with a traditional Jewish ceremony, outdoor cocktail hour, and an eye-catching reception set with candles and greenery.

01 of 19

The Invitation Suite

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

The letterpressed stationery suite by Bella Figura was a modern and minimal design sent in an envelope lined with a geometric-patterned paper.

02 of 19

The Location

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

The Brooklyn-based couple chose to marry at Pioneer Works, an art and education center with an open, industrial aesthetic and a mission of contributing the arts and contemporary culture. With views of New York City from the roof, the couple not only celebrated their love, but the city they live in.

03 of 19

The Bridal Party

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Bridesmaids and flower girls wore dresses in various neutral hues.

04 of 19

Something Old and Something Blue

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

The bride wore her oval-shaped Kwiat engagement ring as well as Josh's maternal grandmother's diamond-and-sapphire ring, which served as her "something old" and "something blue."

05 of 19

The Groomsmen

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Josh's groomsmen donned the "Ludlow" suit from J.Crew and stopped for a quick picture in front of the Wythe Hotel, where they got ready.

06 of 19

The Style

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

"I loved wearing something that I helped to create," Emily says of her custom dress. "It made the day far more special." After trying on a few existing gowns and deciding which silhouette best suited her, she started sketching a classic mermaid fit. Working with Brocade Creations on the embroidery, the patternmaker and seamstress Emily works with at The Row did the rest.

Josh looked sharp in a navy Christian Dior suit and crisp white shirt.

07 of 19

The Embroidery

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Tulle embroidered with leather and glass beads set in a flower and leaf pattern overlaid a nude fabric.

08 of 19

The Processional

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

The processional was set to a medley of acoustic Beatles songs, with the bride and her parents entering to "Here Comes the Sun."

09 of 19

The Ceremony

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Under a chuppah topped with Josh's maternal grandfather's prayer shawl, the couple became husband and wife during a traditional Jewish ceremony in the venue's front exhibition space.

10 of 19

Cocktail Hour

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Guests sipped on white and smoked Negronis (the bride's favorite drink) during cocktail hour while mingling among the side gallery space, and into the garden.

11 of 19

The Escort Cards

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Printed escort cards were clipped to a living wall of vibrant green plants.

12 of 19

The Reception Room

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Two long, bar-height tables ran down the length of the room, with smaller (and lower) ones set in alternating directions in between. Bistro lighting strung overhead and plenty of candlelight added a warm glow to the scene.

13 of 19

The Tables

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

"The design was all about modern, clean shapes paired with wild, organic, textural elements," planner and event designer Matthew Robbins notes. "We used cut greenery for the centerpieces. A combination of various ferns, leaves, and foliage arranged in thin glass beakers, and gray taper candles set the tables."

14 of 19

The Menu

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

The meal kicked off with a chilled English pea soup and a carrot tartare. A flax linen with a black strip added a bit of edge to the place setting.

15 of 19

The First Dance

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

"Crazy Love" by Van Morrison played as Emily and Josh shared their first dance as a married couple.

16 of 19

Dancing the Night Away

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

A very high-energy hora occurred during the reception, and at one point during the night Josh's friends hoisted him up again—but this time so he could go crowd surfing.

17 of 19

Ice Cream and Late-Night Snacks

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

After dinner, an OddFellows' ice cream cart rolled in for dessert and Roberta's brought their mobile pizza oven for some late-night snacking.

18 of 19

The Getaway Car

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Josh saw a 1949 Cadillac parked outside the hotel the morning of the wedding, and realizing he hadn't planned a getaway, hired the driver on the spot.

19 of 19

Sources

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Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio

Photography, Shawn Connell of Christian Oth Studio
Location, Pioneer Works
Event planning and design, Matthew Robbins Design
Catering, Yann Nury; Roberta's
Videography, Hello Super Studios
Officiant, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie of Lab Shul
Stationery, Bella Figura
Ice Cream, OddFellows
Music, Dan Stein (ceremony), 646-326-2661 ; Bobby Attiko Band
Rentals, Broadway Party Rentals; Party Rental Ltd.
Bride's gown, custom The Row
Hair, Cheryl Fazio
Makeup, Debbie Bell
Groom's tuxedo, Christian Dior
Lighting and sound, Pegasus Productions
Photobooth, We Love Photobooths

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